This spring, London's Kensington Palace is to undergo a 20-month-long, £12 million transformation at the hands of charity, Historic Royal Palaces.
As part of the overhaul, a collaborative project between theatre company Wildworks (opens in new tab) and HRP will be unveiled in the state rooms of the palace this month.
The rooms - which have played host to some of history's most renowned royals including a young Queen Victoria, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana - will be transformed into an interactive fashion exhibition by Wildworks and designers including Vivienne Westwood (opens in new tab), Boudicca, milliner Stephen Jones (opens in new tab) and set designer Echo Morgan (opens in new tab).
Each room of the palace will take on its own character at the hands of each designer and the multi-sensory exhibition will combine installation, film, sound and performance.
Westwood is to display a dress designed with a 'rebellious princess' in mind, Stephen Jones will show a series of hats inspired by the busts of philosophers and scientists, while William Tempest (opens in new tab) is to unveil a multifaceted origami dress, inspired by Queen Victoria.
Displayed alongside historic items from the residence, ‘Enchanted Palace’ will remain in-situ until January 2012.
'Dresses the colour of time' by Boudicca
Hundreds of toy soldiers line up to guard 'The Enchanted Palace' exhibition at Kensington Palace.
A Historic Royal Palaces conservator makes an adjustment to William Tempest's installation for 'The Enchanted Palace'.
Fashion designers Maki Aminaka and Marcus Wilmont (Aminaka Wilmont) with their 'dress of tears' created for Queen Mary's bedroom.
Illustrator and set designer Echo Morgan adjusts her installation - a 'Dress of the World'.
Milliner Stephen Jones with his installation for 'The Enchanted Palace' exhibition at Kensington Palace.
A piece created by Angela Singer for Echo Morgan's cabinet of curiosities.
A Historic Royal Palaces conservator adjusts Vivienne Westwood's creation for 'The Enchanted Palace'.
An origami crane, one of several thousand displayed as part of William Tempest's installation.
William Tempest puts the final touches to his installation, set in Queen Victoria's bedroom.
A member of the Wildworks theatre company puts the final touches to a miniature model of Kensington Palace.
ADDRESS
Kensington Palace
Kensington Gardens
London
W8 4PX
England
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